Liverpool City Council has received more than 6,000 responses to a six-week public consultation on possible uses for St Luke’s Church, the bombed-out church in Bold Street.

The public consultation, which launched in August, followed a commitment from Mayor Joe Anderson to keep the church in public ownership after unsolicited approaches from private sector developers.

The consultation looked to gauge views on how the church could be preserved as a living war memorial, the type of events that should be held there and what further facilities or possible development should be carried out.

The council said that it will now compile the results and publish a summary in the next month. The report will be used as the basis to make decisions about the future of the building, which could include seeking expressions of interest for the appointment of an occupier/operator to run the site in the new year.

Later this month the council will start on the first part of a three-phase project to repair the structure of the church, funded jointly with Historic England.

The structural works will mean that the Church and gardens will be closed to protect public health and safety.

Cllr Malcom Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It is clear from the response we have received that there is a great deal of love and affection for St Luke’s.

“The number of responses we have received demonstrates the importance of this historic site to the people of Liverpool.”